PUPPY POWER ADVANCED TRAINING MANUAL Dog Training & Behaviour Therapy Certification Courses
Published in Canada by: Canine Correspondence Studies Kitchener/Waterloo, Ontario, Canada www.dogtrainingcareers.com Fourth Edition Copyright Norma Jeanne Laurette January 2012 All rights reserved. No part of the material protected by this copyright may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner. Professional Pet Dog Training & Behaviour Therapy By Norma Jeanne Laurette
Table of Contents Disclaimer 6 Training Equipment 7 Puppy Power s Level Three Training 7 Heeling & Figure 8 8 Dropping The Leash Left Circle 8 Procedure 8 Training Tips 9 Right Circle 10 Procedure 10 Training Tips 11 Heel Free Intermediate Exercises Off Leash 12 Procedure 12 Training Tips 13 Left About Turn (Schutzhund Turn) 13 Procedure 13 Training Tips 15 Figure 8 15 Voice Only For Heeling 15 Procedure 15 Voice Only For Figure 8 16 Training Tips 16 Heel Free Without Leash, Voice or Treats Procedure 17 Training Tips 18 Performing The Heel Free Exercise 19 Performing The Figure 8 22 Scoring The Heel And Figure 8 In Obedience Trials 23 Out Of Sight Sit Stay And Down Stay 25 Rules 25 Release Cue 26 Build To A Three Minute Sit Stay And Five Minute Down Stay 27 Procedure 27 Training Tips 27 Hand Signals Only For Stay 28 3
Sit Stay & Down Stay Moving As A Distraction 28 Procedure 28 Training Tips 29 Stay With Distractions 30 Procedure 30 Distractions 30 New Distractions 31 Training Tips 32 Introducing The Out Of Sight Stay 32 Procedure 32 Training Tips 33 Build The Length Of Time For Your Out Of Sight Stay 34 Procedure 34 Training Tips 35 Performing The Out Of Sight Sit Stay And Down Stay Exercise 36 Scoring The Sit Stay And Down Stay In Obedience Trials 38 Drop On Recall 39 Quick Drop 39 Procedure 39 Training Tips 40 Quick Drop Short Distance 40 Procedure 40 Training Tips 41 Quick Drop More Distance 42 Procedure 42 Training Tips 43 Quick Drop Add The Recall 43 Procedure 43 Training Tips 45 Full Drop On Recall With Hand Signal Only 45 Procedure 45 Training Tips 46 Assisted Drop 46 Procedure 47 Performing The Drop On Recall & Finish Exercise 49 4
Scoring The Drop On Recall & Finish In Obedience Trials (Maximum 30 points) 51 Stand For Examination 52 Stand In Heel 52 Procedure 52 Training Tips 53 Releasing Your Dog 54 Procedure 54 Introduce Approaching And Handling 54 Procedure 54 Training Tips 55 Stand For Examination In Front Position 56 Procedure 56 Training Tips 57 Stand For Examination Moving Away 57 Procedure 57 Training Tips 58 Stand for Examination Expanding Distance And Eliminating Voice Cue 58 Procedure 58 Performing The Stand For Examination 59 Scoring The Stand For Examination In Obedience Trials 60 About Graduation 61 Obedience Standard Testing 62 Scoring 62 Rules Additional Cues and Signals 62 Training Treats 63 Extra Cues And Signals 63 Breaking The Stay 63 CCS Course References 64 Recommended Books & Videos 67 Note: Various handouts will be mentioned in this manual. If you require a copy of any of these handouts or handouts to help you solve behaviour problems please contact Norma Jeanne at CCSNormaJeanne@rogers.com for your free pdf copy. 5
Disclaimer The Puppy Power Intermediate Training Manual is intended as a reference guide only. The information herein is designed to present you with a variety of training techniques to be used for intermediate dog training. Experience, your ability to apply the information, timing and consistency are required for successful application of these techniques. It s recommended that you learn how to read subtle canine communication and body language to better understand and safely social your dog. For educational opportunities contact Norma Jeanne @ CCSNormaJeanne@rogers.com. Using any tool or technique incorrectly or with the wrong temperament of dog can have detrimental or ruinous effects on the dog s temperament and/or can be potentially dangerous. The results of any training or behaviour modification program will vary due to the behaviour of the handler, other animals and people in the environment, aspects of the environment and numerous other factors. Because these factors are out of our control, we offer no guarantees with this program. Dogs are animals and as such can be unpredictable and have the potential of displaying unwanted behaviour without warning. Working with dogs is not without risk to people, dogs and possessions. Due to the unpredictability of animal and human behaviour, Norma Jeanne Laurette, Puppy Power, CCS, Canine Communication Studies, Canine Correspondence Studies, IPDTA International Positive Dog Training Association, ACTT Applied Canine Therapy & Training, The KW Humane Society and any and all associates are not responsible for any and all risks, injury or damages associated with the use or misuse of the information in this program. Norma Jeanne Laurette, Puppy Power, CCS, Canine Communication Studies, Canine Correspondence Studies, IPDTA International Positive Dog Training Association, ACTT Applied Canine Therapy & Training, The KW Humane Society and any and all associates do not assume responsibility for any liability, or the cost of any and all collection, insurance claims, law suits or actions that is the result of the use or misuse of the information in this program. If you have questions please contact Norma Jeanne @ CCSNormaJeanne@rogers.com. 6
Training Equipment Level Three Advanced Training Manual Although we ll use the same training equipment used during the intermediate training program at the beginning of the advanced training program, our goal is to run this class entirely off leash. The leashes will be removed during your first session and will only be put back on when necessary. We ll be replacing many of the training treats with the real life reward go-play. Not only does this allow us an opportunity to fade the training treats, we ll be giving the dog the best non-food reward possible motivating it to make correct choices and creating a pleasant association with the training process. Food rewards will be used sparingly as temporary training tools to reward the best responses and will be faded quickly to ensure reliable responses without the long term need of food rewards as explained on page 13 of the Intermediate Training Manual. As always, timing and consistency are the keys to effective dog training. The reward marker must be timed perfectly with the desired response and you should never reward a behaviour you wish to change. Puppy Power s Level Three Training If you choose to train your dog to obedience trial standard this manual will explain your goals. If you do not wish to train to obedience trial standard you ll still learn the same exercises. Simply choose the aspects of each exercise that matter to you and set your own goals and priorities. I ll be explaining your options along the way. 7
Heeling & Figure 8 Level Three Advanced Training Manual Dropping The Leash Left Circle The left circle exercise is designed to set you up for success as you drop your dog s leash for the first time. By heeling in a large left circle in a counter clockwise direction, if you heel your dog on your left side your dog will need to slow down to stay in heel position as it will be covering less ground. You ll be cutting in front of your dog as you walk making it less likely to wander from your side. If you were heeling in a right circle your dog would need to pick up its pace to maintain heel position and would be more likely to wander away from you. Procedure Position your dog in a straight sit in heel position on your left side facing the direction that will allow you to move in a counter clockwise direction around your training ring. Gather the excess leash in your left hand. Give your watch me cue and/or signal. Give your cue and/or signal to heel and step off at a brisk walk with your left foot. Walk briskly in a large left circle, gradually making the circle smaller and smaller as you proceed. Move the leash from in front of your body so that you are now holding it behind your back. While your dog is heeling beside you, gently drop the leash so that it s dragging behind your dog. 8
Use your voice and treats to keep its attention and to reward it for remaining in heel position. Don t forget to use your reward marker YES! to mark the behaviour you are rewarding. When your circle is small, come to a halt. Your dog should automatically sit in a straight sit heel position when you come to a stop as taught in intermediate training. Remove your leash and toss it aside before repeating the left circle exercise without your leash. The off-leash tab is a short cord or leash, approximately four to six inches in length. The purpose of the off-leash tab is to give you a handle to take hold of when necessary if your dog wanders from heel position. I seldom use off-leash tabs these days but they are an option for those who are concerned that their dog will wander away from them. For those who would like to use an off-leash tab, place the tab on your dog s collar where you would attach your leash. Repeat the above exercise, gently taking hold of the tab if your dog attempts to leave your side then use your treat to lure your dog back, motivate it to maintain heel position and to reward desired behaviour. Training Tips By starting with a left circle you are constantly moving in front of your dog, making it less likely to leave your side. 9
By now your dog should be sitting automatically whenever you come to a halt. If it s not, go back to the Automatic Sit exercise in page 34 of your Intermediate Training Manual. Since this is a new exercise for your dog, use your voice and treats to encourage it to watch you and only reward its best performance. Right Circle Once your dog is heeling off leash in a left circle it s time to test it with a right circle. This will teach your dog to adjust to you as you move away from it. Procedure Position your dog in a straight sit in heel position on your left side facing the direction that will allow you to move in a clockwise direction around your training ring. Give your watch me cue and/or signal. Give your cue and/or signal to heel and step off at a brisk walk with your left foot. Walk briskly in a right circle, gradually making the circle smaller and smaller. Since your dog is now on the outside, it s more likely to wander. Use your voice and treats lure it into position, keep its attention and to reward desired behaviour. Don t forget to use your reward marker YES! to mark the behaviour you are rewarding. 10
When your circle is small, come to a halt. Your dog should sit automatically in heel position when you come to a halt as taught in intermediate training. If your dog wanders away from you, quickly grab hold of your off-leash tab to prevent it from leaving and using your voice and treats, lure it back into heel position before continuing. Training Tips Since heeling on the outside of the circle requires more concentration from your dog, feel free to use your voice and treats to keep its focus while teaching this exercise. Remember that the hurry, hurry was designed to teach your dog to pick up its pace when on the outside and easy, easy will instruct it to slow its pace on the inside. Use your voice to encourage and praise it for a job well done. Use your treats as a lure to position your dog and to reward it for remaining with you. For any new or difficult exercise, use the tools at your disposal until the desired behaviour becomes habit. When your dog is responding reliably, gradually eliminate your lures and rewards. 11
Heel Free Intermediate Exercises Off Leash Practice the exercises you learned in your intermediate class without the leash. Procedure If applicable, put your off-leash tab on your dog s collar where you previously attached the leash. Get your training treats ready and place them in your left pocket or pouch so that they re handy when you choose to reward your dog. Your other option is to put the treats in your mouth which will help draw your dog s attention to your face. When your dog makes a correct choice you can take a treat from your mouth to reward it or spit the treat to your dog if it catches well. Line your dog up in a straight sit-stay in heel position. Give your cue and/or signal to watch me. While heeling, mix up the following turns and speed changes from your intermediate training program: forward, about turn, left turn, right turn, slow, normal, fast and halt. Now have your assistant call out the above instructions, changing the order and giving you enough time to respond to each before calling out the next one. Since your dog should now be familiar with your hand signals and body language, it s time to begin using your voice only when necessary to instruct your dog. 12
Training Tips Practice these exercises until your dog is watching and adjusting automatically to you. If your dog wanders from heel position, quickly grab the off-leash tab to prevent it from leaving and lure it back into heel position. Your signals and body language must be consistent make your movements precise and your signals obvious. Reward only the best performances. At this point you want your dog working harder for each reward. Keep your lessons short and fun. Left About Turn (Schutzhund Turn) Procedure We ll practice the left-about turn from a stand still before practicing in motion. To execute a left-about turn you ll be turning toward your dog instead of away from it as it moves around you into heel position. Begin with a sit-stay in heel position. Allow your dog to sniff a treat that you re holding in your right hand. Using the treat as a lure, turn to your left toward your dog luring your dog to your right and behind your body. Switch the treat to your left hand behind your back and continue to turn as you lure your dog into heel position on your left hand side. You are making a 180 degree half turn toward your dog as your dog circles behind you into heel position. See page 14. 13
If executed properly, you should now be heading in the opposite direction with your dog in heel position. Practice this turn from a stand still until it s smooth. Now, let s add the left-about turn to your heeling exercises. Begin with your dog in a sit in heel position on your left-hand side. Give your cue and/or signal to watch me. Give your cue and/or signal to heel and step off briskly with your left foot. While heeling briskly, perform your left-about turn by turning toward your dog, drawing it behind you and into heel position as you turn and walk in the opposite direction. 14
Practice the left about turn until you can turn smoothly while in motion. Training Tips Don t try this turn in motion until you can do it easily from a stand still. When performing the left-about turn while heeling, there should be no pause in movement, only a smooth-turn with continued heeling. When this turn is easy for you and your dog, practice it in along with the other turns and speed changes. Figure 8 Now practice the figure 8 as you did in your intermediate training class but this time without the use of your leash. Voice Only For Heeling Procedure Your goal is to gradually eliminate your voice in order to teach your dog to focus on you using only hand signals and body language. Begin with your dog in a sit in heel position. Give your hand signal to heel eliminating your voice cue. Step off with your left foot and walk briskly around the ring. Come to a halt by planting your left foot and bringing your right foot down beside it. Your dog should read this movement as a cue to sit. If your dog is having trouble predicting your halt, slow your pace just a touch before coming to a halt. Once your automatic-sit is reliable increase 15
your pace until it s back to normal as slowing down before stopping will be viewed as an extra signal during obedience trials and will cost you points. Give your signal to heel (no verbal cue) and once again walk off with your left foot. Practice your forward and halt utilizing the step and sit exercise without voice cues until your dog is responding reliably. Now practice all the turns and speed changes you ve learned giving your dog the opportunity to tune into your body language. Use your off-leash tab only when necessary to prevent your dog from leaving heel position. After coming to a halt, feel free to reward your dog with praise and treats if it sits quickly and straight. If it didn t work on automatic sits as a separate exercise before continuing. Voice Only For Figure 8 Now, practice the figure 8 from your intermediate training class using only your hand signals and body language. (no voice cues) Training Tips When coming to a halt, it s important to keep your body straight, facing the direction you were headed in order to get a straight sit from your dog. If you re standing at an angle you can t expect your dog to sit straight. Your voice can be used as a temporary training tool to enhance the communication between you and your dog, to motivate it and keep it focused. Verbal cues, encouragement and praise are important tools. The reasons we eliminate the voice in advanced training is to enhance your dog s understanding of your signals and body language and because you are only permitted to use cue or signal (not both) when competing in 16
obedience trials. Feel free to use your voice when out with your dog or when ever it suits you. Heel Free Without Leash, Voice or Treats Procedure Begin with your dog in a sit in heel position facing the direction that will lead you counter clockwise around your training ring. Remove your leash and toss it aside. Give your hand signal to heel and step off at a brisk walk with your left foot. Move briskly around your training ring. Make and about-turn, turning to your right and heading in the opposite direction. Make a left-about-turn, turning toward your dog and heading in the opposite direction. Turn 90 degrees to your left, making your left-turn through the center of the ring and continuing to your left as you exit the other side of the ring. Make another about-turn heading in the opposite direction. Turn 90 degrees to your right, making your right-turn through the center of the ring and continuing to your right as you exit the other side of the ring. Slow your pace drastically, go back to your brisk walk, break into a slow jog then go back into your brisk walk mixing up the slow, normal and fast speed changes. Come to a halt and your dog should sit automatically in a straight heel position. 17
Give your signal to heel and once again step off briskly with your left foot. Come to a halt and when your dog sits automatically in heel position release it with lots of praise followed by a relaxation or play break. Training Tips The secret to this exercise is to turn and change speeds constantly and quickly. This will teach your dog to focus on you because you are unpredictable. Grab the off-leash tab only when necessary. If your dog is lagging behind, encourage it to pick up its pace. If he is forging ahead, instruct it to slow down. Your goal is to have your dog adjusting to you to maintain heel position. If one part of your heeling exercise is weak, trouble shoot that part of the exercise separately before adding it to the sequence. 18
Performing The Heel Free Exercise Your instructor or judge s instructions Your response Line up for heeling Heel your dog to the designated starting area and position your dog in a straight sit in heel position. Remove your leash and toss it aside, drape it over your shoulders or fasten it around your waist. Are you ready? You answer Yes. Forward Give your signal to heel then step off with your left foot at a brisk walk. About turn Without the use of any additional cues or signals make a 180 degree half turn to your right and continue in the opposite direction at a brisk pace. Left turn Without the use of any additional cues or signals make a 90 degree quarter turn to your left heading into the center of the training ring. If heeling with a group, walk through the centre of the ring then exit the ring to your left and continue circling the outside of the ring. If competing in obedience trials you ll not make any turns until instructed to do so. 19
Right turn Without the use of any additional cues or signals make a 90 degree quarter turn to your right heading into the center of the training ring. If heeling with a group, walk through the centre of the ring then exit the ring to your right and continue circling the outside of the ring. If competing in obedience trials you ll not make any turns until instructed to do so. Left About Without the use of any additional cues or signals make a 180 degree half turn to your left with your dog circling to your right, around behind your back returning to heel position as you continue at a brisk walk in the opposite direction. Slow Without the use of any additional cues or signals switch to an obviously slower pace. Normal Without the use of any additional cues or signals switch back to your brisk walk. Fast Without the use of any additional cues or signals switch to a slow jog at an obviously faster pace. 20
Halt As you come to a halt your dog should automatically sit straight in heel position without the need of an additional cue or signal. Forward Give your cue or signal to heel then step off with your left foot at a brisk walk. Halt As you come to a halt your dog should automatically sit straight in heel position without the need of an additional cue or signal. Exercise finished or exercise complete Praise and release your dog while keeping it under control and on leash then follow the next instructions. 21
Performing The Figure 8 Level Three Advanced Training Manual Your instructor or judge s instructions Your response Line up for the figure 8 Heel your dog to the designated starting area and position your dog in a straight sit in heel position facing the center of the two ring stewards approximately three feet back. Remove your leash and toss it aside, drape it over your shoulders or fasten it around your waist. Are you ready? You answer Yes. Forward Give your cue or signal to heel then step off with your left foot at a brisk walk and circle the ring stewards in an 8 pattern. Halt Come to a halt and your dog should automatically sit straight in heel position without the need of an additional cue or signal. Forward Give your cue or signal to heel then step off with your left foot at a brisk walk. 22
Halt Come to a halt and your dog should automatically sit straight in heel position without the need of an additional cue or signal. Exercise finished or Exercise complete Praise and release your dog while keeping it under control and on leash then follow the next instructions. Scoring The Heel And Figure 8 In Obedience Trials (Maximum 40 Points) The judge is looking for A dog and handler that can work as a team with the dog adjusting its position to the handler s in order to stay in heel position as they move through turns and speed changes. The handler must never adjust to the dog. A dog that will sit automatically in heel position every time the handler comes to a halt. Zero points Unmanageable or unqualified heeling This means the dog is out of control and/or the owner is adjusting his or her position to the dog instead of the dog adjusting to the handler. 23
Five to ten point deductions Level Three Advanced Training Manual Extra cues or signals to heel Speed changes that are not obvious The dog fails to sit automatically at a halt One-half to five point deductions Tight leash Forging ahead Heeling wide Crowding Lagging behind Poor sits Failure to keep a brisk normal walking pace Any other minor imperfections to the heel Handler error 24
Out Of Sight Sit Stay And Down Stay Rules While teaching the basics of this exercise you ll need to keep your expectations low to set your dog up for success. Once you ve built a solid foundation you ll be able to increase the length of time and distance. If your dog is breaking its stay you re progressing too quickly, moving too far from your dog or expecting it to hold the stay for longer than it s capable under the circumstances. The stay is an exercise where it s important to have realistic expectations and to let your dog set the pace. When your last goal is successful and easy for your dog only then will you take the next step. Only ask your dog to do what you know it can handle under the circumstances. If anything in the environment is different or if your dog is distracted or not feeling well, you have to expect a regression in your dog s ability to focus and make choices until it s learned to generalize the exercise to all environments and distractions. If your dog is not feeling well you should not ask it to do any more than is necessary. A level of maturity is required for most dogs to hold reliable stays for any length of time and distance when distracted. High energy dogs will find it more difficult to hold their position at the beginning while low energy dogs tend to prefer lying down to holding a sit stay. Either way, with realistic expectations, patience and consistency you can create a reliable stay in any dog. There are three criteria that you will be building when teaching the advanced stay. One is length of time, the second is distance and the third is length of time out of sight. Only increase one criterion at a time. Increase each criterion in small increments in order to set your dog up for success. 25
If your dog breaks its stay, lower your expectations in order to reward a number of successful repetitions in a row before increasing either criterion. Always reward your dog before releasing it to make sure it associates the reward with holding the stay instead of with getting up. When working on short stays do no more than three repetitions before taking a relaxation or play break and allowing your dog to clear its mind. When practicing stays longer than thirty seconds, give your dog a break after two repetitions. When practicing stays longer than one minute, give your dog a break after each repetition. If your dog has a short attention span, do no more than one successful repetition before giving it a break. Note: If you over train your dog it will become unpleasant and your progress will deteriorate. Release Cue The most important part of your stay exercise is the release cue. Your dog needs to hold its stay until you ask for something else or release it. If it gets up before hand you do not have control over your dog. If your dog breaks its stay numerous times, the dog learns that the cue to stay is meaningless. In this situation you ll need to choose a new cue and start again from the beginning. You can choose any release cue that appeals to you although I would refrain from using ok or good dog. The reason for this is because we use these words often when communicating and your release cue needs to be unique, having only one meaning to your dog. I use all done. Other options are relax, at ease, go play, or something in another language. Choose something unique and make sure all family members are using the same cue. 26
Build To A Three Minute Sit Stay And Five Minute Down Stay Procedure Move your treats to a pocket or pouch to keep your signal hand empty. Practice the sit, and down stays from your intermediate training class building to a one minute sit stay and three minute down stay. Take a relaxation or play break. Now practice your one-minute sit-stay. Return to your dog using the proper return, followed by a reward and release. If you have not yet achieved a one-minute sit-stay, begin at your last point of success and build up to one minute. When one minute is easy for your dog, try one minute and ten seconds. When this is easy, try one minute and twenty seconds. Add ten seconds to your stay each time your previous goal was successful making sure to take a break after every repetition. Build up to a three-minute sit-stay. Now practice the same exercise with your down-stay and build gradually up to five minutes making sure to take a break after every repetition. Training Tips If your dog breaks, do a short and easy stay, reward your dog and take a break. Then begin at your last point of success and proceed more gradually. Give your cues only once. If you repeat your cues your dog will not take them seriously. Progress at your dog s pace. When your current goal is easy for your dog, only then will you increase your criterion. 27
Never train your dog when you re not centered and focused. It takes a thinking trainer to teach a thinking dog. Since timing and consistency are important, make sure you re on the ball before working with your dog. Hand Signals Only For Stay Now, practice your stay exercises using only your hand signals and body language. (no voice cue) Sit Stay & Down Stay Moving Distraction Procedure Place your dog in a straight sit in heel position on your left-hand side. Remove your leash and place it behind your dog. Give the hand signal to stay. At this point you should no longer need the verbal cue. Moving your right foot first, walk away from your dog to the full distance of the room, turn and face your dog. Now you can begin to walk slowly around the room while watching your dog for any sign of movement. If it looks as though it may break you have a couple options: 1. Remind your dog to stay. 2. Approach your dog, reward it for not moving, give your signal to stay then go back to where you were standing. 3. Return to your dog, reward and release it before it gets up. 4. Call your dog to you releasing it before it gets up. 28
If it doesn t move, walk up to your dog, reward it for holding his position and continue walking around the room. When rewarding your dog while holding a stay, make sure the treat it out of sight until you re in front of your dog. Quickly retrieve your treat and reward your dog to prevent luring it out of the stay. Decrease the distance between you and your dog as you re walking and if your dog is still holding the stay, carefully step over it before walking away again. When its stay is firm, pick up your pace to include a slow jog. Now repeat the same pattern with your down-stay. Training Tips Be careful not to startle your dog, step on his tail or touch it when stepping over or moving around it as doing so could create an unpleasant association and ruin your progress. Watch your dog at all times for any sign of movement to intervene and prevent it from breaking. When adding a new distraction, reward each correct response. Feel free to walk up to your dog and reward it for not breaking and leaving again to keep it playing your game. If your dog breaks its stay, quickly and calmly reposition your dog. Stay With Distractions Procedure Begin with your dog in a straight sit-stay in heel position. Remove your leash and place it behind your dog. 29
Giving your hand signal (not the voice cue), step off with your right foot, walk to the far end of the room then turn and face your dog. Add the distractions listed below as you did in your intermediate training class. Distractions 1. Your assistant will walk faster. 2. Your assistant will jog slowly. 3. Your assistant will move closer to the dog. 4. Your assistant will step over your dog. (being careful not to touch the dog) 5. Your assistant will make sounds such as talking and clapping hands. 6. Your assistant will squeak a squeaky toy at a distance. 7. Your assistant will gradually move closer to your dog while squeaking the toy. 8. Your assistant will bounce a ball at a distance. 9. Your assistant will gradually move closer to your dog while bouncing the ball. 10. Your assistant will stroke the dog. 11. Your assistance will walk past with a dog on leash. 12. Your assistant will jog past with a dog on leash. After practicing your sit stay or down stay with each distraction, return to your dog and release your dog into a relaxation or play break. 30
Take a break any time your dog shows signs of stress such as yawning, lip licking, shaking as though shaking off water or other signs of stress or calming signals. (see Canine Communication & Body Language handout) Take your dog to a new location with as few new distractions as possible. Work on your stay exercises until reliable then gradually add the distractions listed above. When your dog is comfortable with the old distractions in the new environment, you can either move to another location or add new distractions. Feel free to use your imagination. Practice both, sit-stay and down-stay, with each new distraction. New Distractions 1. Your assistant will call your dog. If you have given the cue to stay, a cue by another person should not release your dog. 2. Your assistant will run and make funny noises. 3. A new person will enter the training area. 4. Your assistant will enter and open an umbrella. 5. Your assistant will enter using a cane. 6. Your assistant will enter using a wheelchair. 7. Your assistant will walk into the training area with another dog on-leash. 8. More people and more dogs can enter the training area. It s important to keep the dogs on leash since it s difficult for a dog to hold a stay when it s physically challenged by another dog. 9. Other species can be used as the ultimate test, such as squirrels, cats, rabbits, ducks etc. making sure to always ensure the animals safety. 31
Training Tips Since there are many potential distractions, it will take numerous training sessions to proof your stays. Don t work beyond your dog s ability to concentrate and always quit before your dog does. Your list of distractions is only limited by your imagination. If you want a dog that s reliable no matter where you go, it s important to think of all the distractions it may need to cope with in real life situations and work with those distractions. When practicing in an unsecured environment, use a lifeline for safety. When choosing a new location, be aware that anything different in the environment changes everything to your dog. Practice stays without adding anything new until your dog is relaxed in the new environment. When your dog is focused on you, you can then add one of the distractions above or something new. Introducing The Out Of Sight Stay Procedure Have an assistant watch your dog so that you can be informed if it breaks its stay while you re out of the room. Begin with your dog in a sit-stay in heel position. Remove your leash and place it behind your dog. Give your hand signal to stay and walk away from your dog, leading with your right foot. Stop at the other end of the room, turn and face your dog and hold your position. 32
Begin walking around the room while keeping an eye on your dog. Quickly slip out the door and immediately come back in and continue circling the room. Slip out again and this time, wait for three seconds before reappearing and continuing to circle the room. Gradually increase the length of time that you re out of the room. Reward your dog for not breaking before returning to heel position and releasing it. Now practice the same exercise with your down-stay. Training Tips Be careful to increase the length of time you re out of the room very gradually. If you progress too quickly, your dog will come to find you. Make sure there are no distractions when beginning this exercise, since leaving the room is a big change in itself. When practicing alone, a hand-held mirror is a good training tool to use, since you ll be able to see your dog without your dog being able to see you. Another good training tool is a live video-camera with a hooked up to a monitor or television in the other room. This way the video camera can be your eyes. Build The Length Of Time For Your Out Of Sight Stay Procedure Gradually build your length of time up to and a little past a three-minute out-of-sight sit-stay and a five-minute out-of-sight down-stay following the rules laid out on page 25. 33
In the Novice class of obedience trails, all the dogs competing will do the sit-stay and down-stay at the same time. All the competing dogs will enter the ring in a straight line in the order they were catalogued. The handlers will line their dogs up in a row and remove their leashes. The leashes are placed behind the dogs with the handler s armband on top so the number is visible to the judge. The judge will give the instruction to sit your dogs at which point the handlers will place their dogs in a sit position. The judge will then give the instruction leave your dogs, at which point the handlers will give the cue or signal to stay and immediately walk away from their dogs. They will walk briskly to the other end of the ring and turn and face their dogs. The handlers are to give no additional cues or signals throughout this exercise. After one minute the judge will give the instruction return to your dogs, at which time the handlers will walk back to their dogs and return to heel position. The judge will then instruct exercise finished, at which time the handlers may release their dogs. The down-stay is performed in the same manner with a three-minute down-stay. In the Open class of obedience trials the judge s instructions are the same and the exercises are performed in the same manner. The only difference is that when the judge gives the instruction to leave your dogs, the handlers must immediately leave the ring and go to a pre-determined place where they are out of sight from their dogs. The sit-stay is three minutes and the down-stay is five minutes. 34
Training Tips The reason I ve asked you to work your dogs past the three minute sit stay and five minute down stay is because the dogs have an exceptional biological clock. If your dog always is released at precisely three minutes, it will predict the release and will begin to break at precisely three minutes. Since the times may vary in the trial ring, it s important to be prepared. At this point, there should be no extra cues, hand signals or body signals, since your dog should be trained to the point where it responds to all cues or signals the first time, and holds each position until you ask for something else or release your dog. Performing The Out Of Sight Sit Stay And Down Stay Exercise Your instructor or judge s instructions Your response Line up for the sit stay Heel your dog on leash to the testing area as instructed. Position your dog in a straight sit in heel then remove your leash and put it behind your dog. When doing the sit stay or down stay exercise in class you may leave your leash on your dog if you so choose. 35
Leave your dogs Give your dog the stay cue or signal, walk to the other end of the training ring then leave the room to the predetermined area out of sight from your dogs. If your dog breaks you ll be informed at which time you will retrieve your dog and calmly and quietly exit the obedience trial ring. Return to your dogs Return to the room by retracing your steps and return to heel position beside your dog. You are to stand still in heel position giving no extra cues or signals until instructed to do so. Your dog is to remain in a sit in heel position. Down your dogs Give your down cue or signal. Your dog is to immediately assume the down position. Leave your dogs Give your dog the stay cue or signal, walk to the other end of the training ring then leave the room to the predetermined area out of sight from your dogs. If your dog breaks you ll be informed at which time you will retrieve your dog and calmly and quietly exit the obedience trial ring. 36
Return to your dogs Return to the room by retracing your steps and return to heel position beside your dog. You are to stand still in heel position giving no extra cues or signals until instructed to do so. Your dog is to remain in a down in heel position. Exercise complete or finished Release your dog using your release cue. Your dog is to remain under control as you exit the ring. Scoring The Sit Stay And Down Stay In Obedience Trials (Maximum 30 Points Each) The judge is looking for A dog that will remain in the sit stay or down stay position until the owner returns to heel position and releases the dog. Our goal is a one-minute sit stay and a three minute down stay. If a dog breaks its stay (standing up or lying down from a sit stay or standing up or sitting from a down stay) they fail the entire trial and the handler is required register, pay and repeat the trial if they wish to continue. Zero points The dog moves away from the place in which it was positioned The dog approaches another dog The dog sits or stands after given the down stay cue or signal The dog lies down or stands after given the sit stay cue or signal The dog makes excessive noise 37
Five to ten point deductions Level Three Advanced Training Manual The handler repositions the dog after it assumes the sit or down position The dog moves from the sit or down position after the handler returns but before the judge has given the Exercise Complete instruction One half to five point deductions The handler touches the dog s collar The handler physically positions the dog in either the sit or down position Minor noise from the dog Minor movements before or after the handler has returned to heel position Drop On Recall Quick Drop Procedure During your basic training class you taught your dog to lie down when given a cue and signal. At this point, your dog should understand the meaning of the cue and/or the signal. Now you re going to change your basic training signal for down to the advanced training signal. Instead of lowering your right hand, you will raise it above your head. 38
Begin with your dog in front position. Give your down cue along with the new advanced training hand signal. Although the signal is different, your dog should respond to your verbal cue to lie down. If it lies down, reward, praise then release your dog. If it doesn t lie down, give basic training signal to show it what you want. Reward and release then try again with the advanced training signal. Take a short break and repeat. As soon as your dog understands the new hand signal for down, only reward the fastest drops. This way, the drop will get faster and faster. If your dog does a very fast drop, give it a jackpot or higher quality treat. Training Tips After a few repetitions, your dog will quickly learn that the new signal means down as well as the old one. It will also learn that the quickest response gets the best treats. If your dog doesn t respond to the verbal cue to down, practice doggy pushups using the cue followed by the hand signal. (sit, down, sit, down, sit, etc. but only rewarding the down) Make sure you give your dog an opportunity to respond to the verbal cue before giving the hand signal. By raising your hand over your head for the down signal instead of lowering your hand, you are making the signal more obvious and easily recognizable at a distance. Quick Drop Short Distance 39
Procedure Begin with your dog in front position. Give the down cue along with the new signal for down. If your dog lies down, reward, praise and release it. If it doesn t, go back to the Quick Drop exercise on page 39. Take a short break and repeat. Again line your dog up in front position. Give the cue and signal to stay. Take one step back, away from your dog. Give the down cue and new signal. If your dog lies down, quickly move in, reward and release it. If it doesn t, go back to your last point of success and repeat. If it does lie down, repeat this exercise, but this time take two steps back. If it still lies down, take three steps back. If your dog moves toward you before dropping quickly step forward eliminating the space between you and follow through with the drop. Your dog needs to learn to lie down where it is when given the cue and/or signal. If must not continue approaching you before responding. 40
Training Tips Make sure your dog is lying down when you re directly in front of it before taking your first step back. Increase your distance gradually; if you move too quickly you ll set it up to fail. You can tether your dog to something or have someone hold the leash to prevent your dog from moving forward as you give the down cue and signal to prevent it from moving toward you. If your dog is doing well yet all of a sudden fails to respond, quickly return to front position to stop your dog s forward motion, give the down cue and signal, reward your dog then return to where you were when you first gave the cue and signal. Then shorten your distance so to ensure success. After one successful drop take a break. Quick Drop More Distance Procedure Place your dog in front position. Give the down cue and new signal. If your dog lies down, reward and release it. If it doesn t go back to your previous point of success and repeat. If your dog does a fast drop, give it a higher valued or jackpot of treats. Give the cue and signal to stay. 41
Take one step back away from your dog. Give the down cue and the new signal. If your dog lies down, quickly move in, reward and release it. This time, take two steps back before giving the signal. If it still lies down, take three steps back. This time, take four steps back, then five, six etc. until you have built up to the full length of the room. Training Tips Increase your distance gradually. Take a break after each successful repetition. Play games between sessions. Quick Drop Add The Recall Procedure Practice the quick drop at the distance that you ve built up to. Begin this exercise with your dog in a sit in heel position. Give your signal to stay then step off with your right foot. Walk four paces out, turn and face your dog. Give the cue and signal to come. As your dog begins to approach you immediately give the cue and signal to down. 42
If your dog lies down, rush in, reward it, remind it to stay then go back to where you were when you gave the cue. If your dog doesn t lie down immediately, rush up to it stopping his forward movement, and give the cue and signal to down. Then go back to where you were when you called him. Once again give the cue and signal to come. When your dog is sitting in front position, wait for a few seconds then give the cue and signal to heel or finish. Your heel signal for the finish will resemble the lure movement of your finish. When your dog is sitting straight in heel position, release it. Repeat. When your dog is dropping quickly, walk six paces out before turning to face your dog. When your dog is doing well at six paces, try eight. Your goal is for your dog to quickly lie down on cue, approximately half way between you and where it was when you called it. Then you ll call your dog into a straight sit in front followed by a finish. 43
Training Tips Don t get frustrated if your dog doesn t drop on the first cue. This is a new exercise and it may not yet know what you want. Be prepared to quickly rush forward if your dog doesn t drop immediately on the first cue. Your dog will learn quickly if you correct the first mistake. Make sure all corrections are instructive instead of punishment. Your dog will learn by instruction but will become stressed and may shut down if punished. It s crucial to begin mixing up your full recall and your drop on recall right from the start. If your dog is predicting a drop on recall, it will slow down the speed of your recall and will cost you points in the ring. Therefore, do numerous full recalls, rewarding the quickest ones, and add only the occasional drop on recall. Drop On Recall With Hand Signal Only Procedure Begin this exercise with your dog in a straight sit in heel position. Give your signal to stay and step off with your right foot. Walk away from your dog to the distance you ve built up to. Turn and face your dog. Give the cue and signal to come. As your dog approaches the half way mark give your down cue and signal. Your dog is to immediately stop and lie down. 44
When your dog is holding the down position, give the cue and signal to come. When your dog is sitting in front position, wait for a few seconds then give the cue or signal to heel. When your dog is sitting straight in heel position, release it. Increase your distance one step at a time until you are doing a drop on recall using the full length of your training ring. This time, go back to front position and practice giving the down signal without the voice cue. When this is reliable practice the drop using hand signal only from a few feet away gradually building to the full length of your training ring. When this is reliable, practice the full drop on recall with just the hand signal, without your voice cue. Training Tips Remember to do plenty of full recalls, which means that your dog is coming directly to the front position and reward the quickest recalls. Make your actual drop on recall the exception to prevent your dog form anticipating the drop and coming in slowly. Don t get frustrated if your dog doesn t lie down on the first signal without the voice cue. Simply practice your quick drop as a separate exercise with just the signal until it s reliable, before adding it to the recall. Assisted Drop There are times when a dog may not understand that you wish it to stop immediately instead of completing the recall before lying down. In this case you may wish to enlist some assistance while practicing the exercise. Procedure 45
Begin this exercise with your dog in a straight sit in heel position. Have your assistant stand on your right hand side. Pass your leash back to your assistant who will keep it loose and step forward in order to be positioned between the dog and handler before the recall. The handler will give his or her signal to stay and step off with their right foot. They will walk away from their dog to the distance they ve built up to and turn and face their dog The handler will give their cue or signal to come. As the dog approaches the half way mark the handler will give the down cue and signal. The assistant will immediately and gently take up the slack on the leash to stop the dog from moving forward toward the handler. Both handler and assistant are to wait for the dog to lie down. If the dog does not lie down the handler is to give one more cue and signal. If the dog still does not lie down the handler is to approach the dog and follow through. The handler and assistant will repeat this pattern until the dog learns to lie down when restrained by the leash. As the handler and assistant practice this exercise the dog will begin to anticipate the leash stopping the forward movement and the handler following through and will begin to stop and drop on its own. As the dog begins to do this the assistant will only use the leash as necessary until he 46